The Graham Sustainability Scholars Program, a sustainability leadership initiative open to undergraduates from all majors, is now accepting referrals for the cohort starting in September 2025.
>>Refer a student
The program is open to University of Michigan undergraduates on the Ann Arbor campus, with applications accepted from February 26 to April 6. Faculty, advisors, and community members are encouraged to refer students who are passionate about sustainability.
The three-semester program offers participants a $4,000 stipend for the sustainability course requirement, access to professional networking and mentorship opportunities, and the chance to apply for a funded summer internship with a community partner. Its differentiating feature is its project-based approach: Graham Scholars collaborate directly with community organizations across southeast Michigan to gain hands-on interdisciplinary experience and contribute to real-world solutions.
“Students in this program don’t just study sustainability—they work on highly interdisciplinary teams with peers from across the university and external partners from a variety of organizations to advance partners’ sustainability goals,” said Bridget Gruber, Graham Scholars Program Manager. "Participants often describe it as a transformative experience because they apply their skills and knowledge in new ways to create meaningful change aligned with partner priorities.”
At a recent Graham Scholars Symposium, students presented project outcomes, addressing challenges from energy efficiency to green space development:
- One team partnered with Ann Arbor Public Schools’ Freeman Environmental Education Center to create a sustainable business model for a native plant nursery.
- Another supported compliance with Ann Arbor’s Energy Benchmarking Ordinance through educational outreach and data analysis.
- For Brilliant Detroit, scholars analyzed energy and water usage across community hubs.
- In Detroit’s Marygrove neighborhood, scholars designed an inclusive green space with community input.
- Ypsilanti District Library saw enhanced sustainability education with interactive STEM lessons and waste-sorting signage.
- ZeroWaste.org received metrics for zero-waste initiatives in the form of a replicable scorecard.
“These projects highlight how students can turn academic knowledge into practical solutions,” said Jennifer Haverkamp, Graham Family Director of the Graham Sustainability Institute. “The Graham Sustainability Scholars Program equips future leaders with hands-on experience and the skills to create lasting change through localized problem-solving.”